CERCLA/Superfund
Recent Developments in PFAS Regulation
The regulation of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) continues to rapidly evolve at the New York State and federal levels. As further detailed in SPR’s prior blog post on this issue, PFAS are a family of chemical compounds with unique properties allowing them to withstand extreme temperatures, resist degradation, stains, and grease, and adopt nonstick…
Developments in Regulation of PFAS
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) continue to emerge, so to speak, as a focus of regulatory attention on many levels: health, environmental remediation, and manufacturing. Below, we discuss some of the more recent developments affecting this ubiquitous class of chemicals. Nicknamed “forever chemicals,” PFAS are a family of chemical compounds with a wide range…
U.S. Supreme Court Clarifies Scope of CERCLA Contribution Claims by Settling Parties
On May 24, 2021, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Territory of Guam v. United States that a party’s claim for contribution under Section 113(f)(3)(B) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), 42 U.S.C. § 9613(f)(3)(B), and therefore the commencement of the limitations period for such a claim, requires resolution specifically of…
CERCLA Claims and Statute of Limitation Issues: An Analysis
The remediation of decades-old hazardous waste sites has increasingly prompted defendants in CERCLA cases to assert the statute of limitations as a defense, revealing two inflection points that the CERCLA practitioner must navigate. The first is whether a party has asserted a cost-recovery claim under CERCLA Section 107(a) or a contribution claim under Section 113(f). …
Environmental Issues in Bankruptcy Sales
The economic distress ensuing from COVID-19 will likely result in more frequent sales of business assets and real estate under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code. Section 363 sales provide an expedited process to raise revenue and are designed to enable an asset purchaser to take assets “free and clear of any interest.” However, the…
EPA Issues Interim COVID-19 Guidance on Site Field Work Decisions
On April 10, 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a memorandum providing interim guidance on site field work decisions due to the impacts of COVID-19 (Field Guidance). The Field Guidance is applicable to cleanup and emergency responses where EPA is the lead agency, or has direct oversight of or responsibility for the work being…